Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a Great Southern man after he removed his monitoring device and escaped home detention, only a fortnight after he was released on bail.
A short hearing for Jake Thomas Hardie was called in Katanning Magistrates Court on February 10, with magistrate Rosemarie Myers and police prosecutor Sgt Dylan Fisher both conducting proceedings via video link from Albany.
Sgt Fisher said the 29-year-old was released on home detention bail by Albany Magistrates Court on January 27, and since then community corrections had been alerted to him removing his monitoring device.
Police found he had fled his home detention bail address in Northam, and were still unable to locate him as of Wednesday afternoon.
Sgt Fisher requested a warrant be issued for his arrest, which Ms Myers granted.
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On Wednesday, WA police confirmed they were appealing to the public for information that might help them locate Hardie, saying he may be able to assist with an ongoing investigation.
They described him as being around 180cm tall, of solid build, with short black hair and blue eyes.
Police advise any member of the public who sees Hardie to call police immediately on 131 444.
Anyone with information relating to his whereabouts or recent movements is asked to contact Crime Stoppers online via www.crimestopperswa.com.au or by calling 1800 333 000.
Reports to Crime Stoppers can be made anonymously.
